I feel your pain as I read your post....I have a 03 140" High Roof. When I have a expensive repair I mention to my old sales guy what happened, he says "yeah, but your gettin' over 20mpg". Well yes, I actually get 24-25 honestly however with the cost of repairs and parts your benefit of the better mileage is quickly deminished not to mention the 10-12k over a domestic van purchase price.
I have always been skeptical of the one transmission service for life thing they want you to do as well as the listed towing capacity. If you look at the size of the running gear underneath it really is built like a car or lightweight van.
Heres to hoping I get a few more miles trouble free, Its paid for!!
Rover: I had no major problems with the van until I had to replace a bad harmonic balancer (not under warranty) at 95K, and a few turbo resonators (another poorly designed piece of plastic that should be aluminum) under warranty.
Safari 62: So tell me, how was that Isuzu on the long haul. When I'm on the road in the summer, it's not unusual for me to put in 12-14 hours behind the wheel.
Safari SS: I would change the trans fluid at least every 40K! Mine had the dreaded transmission shudder that lots of folks complain about. Dodge put out a bulletin about it, and said that the only remedy was to change the fluid and flush the torque converter at earlier intervals, which I did.
Mine was paid for too, but the $32K price just went to $42K, plus all of the maintenance that I did on a regular basis: LOF every 10K, on the 3rd set of pads and rotors, 3rd set of tires, etc.
There is definitely another vehicle in my future......and it WON"T be a Sprinter. Great idea and possibilities.......but just proven to be a light duty vehicle.....unlike the claims made by the manuf. I expected at least 250K before a major problem but got less than 120K.
__________________
Lew Farber -Certified Master RV Tech (currently on Forums sabbatical)
WBCCI #1032/VAC (assoc) #1032 AIR # 10325
CHARTER MEMBER: FOUR CORNERS UNIT
Lew, a word about the W series: Unless they have vastly improved their ride characteristics, they will beat you to death driving one daily. They are fuel efficient and maneuverable, as well as reliable, but they have that cabover ride that will pitch you all over, especially on rough roads. I haven't driven the Fuso, but the design similarities indicate similar ride. It would be a great idea if you could borrow or rent one for a day, and just drive around, through the city, and maybe from Marco to Port Charlotte and back, before you buy.
Not to hijack too much, but I too drove a Isuzu cabover from LA to Houston, and wow it would make the destination look good! When you hit a bump it kinda catapults you up and this went on for hours, must be the leaf spring front end.
When I have a expensive repair I mention to my old sales guy what happened, he says "yeah, but your gettin' over 20mpg". Well yes, I actually get 24-25 honestly however with the cost of repairs and parts your benefit of the better mileage is quickly deminished not to mention the 10-12k over a domestic van purchase price.
This is hilarious. I was at an Airstream dealer a while back just to see what the Sprinters were like inside, and the salesman was trying to convince me I'd save a ton of money with the Sprinter (this was when diesel was cheaper or at least on par with gas, a couple years ago). I had to laugh. Later, I worked out the numbers, and found that I'd have to wait something like 200 years to break even on it based on my usage patterns.
Personally I wouldn't use a camper as a daily driver. As others have said, it's a heavy, slow vehicle, and not terribly efficient. If you ever encounter a parking garage you're going to have a problem. Also, if you do get into an serious accident, then you're looking for a new camper...
__________________ 1991 Airstream B190 - 7.5L/460 cu in V8.
Jasper remanufactured E4OD.
Stehl Tow Dolly. Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller.
Pioneer head unit, Sirius tuner.
WBCCI #13270 - Washington, DC unit
B190 Owners: The new site B190 Enthusiasts is dedicated to the 1989-1999 Airstream B190.
Not to hijack too much, but I too drove a Isuzu cabover from LA to Houston, and wow it would make the destination look good! When you hit a bump it kinda catapults you up and this went on for hours, must be the leaf spring front end.
Yes.......My W-4 was cab-over and did have a rough ride over New england frost heaves. I figured that was the purpose of those grab handles over and in front of the door!
But it was a work truck and they must have an improved ride by now. The diesel was only a problem as it's sound tended to make me sleepy, but otherwise a great truck. Not a posh American luxury pick up it any way.
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